How to Care for a Mini Rose Plant

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How to Care for a Mini Rose Plant

Overview

Roses are considered some of the most beautiful flowers in the world, and some of the most cultivated. Roses have been raised for centuries for their edible hips (berries), medicinal purposes, and rose oil. Roses come in nearly all colors except true blue and of course black. The size of the bush ranges from two feet to climbing roses which reach 20 feet or more. Blossoms can be huge or tiny, like those of the mini rose plant. If you received one as a gift (or bought one for yourself), it's not hard to get rid of.

Step 1

Remove the rose plant from its container and check for root damage. If the roots are matted and swirl around the bottom of the pot, the rose is most likely pot bound and needs a bigger pot to continue growing. While the flowers of mini rose plants stay small, about the size of a silver dollar, the plant itself can grow to 3 feet tall and wide depending on the variety.

Step 2

Choose a pot one size larger than the current container if the plant is root bound. For example, if the post is currently 4 inches, choose a 6-inch pot. Drainage is important Fill the pot with an inch of gravel and about an inch of potting soil. Place the rose plant in the new container and fill with soil, gently pushing the soil down inside the pot. Water well.

Step 3

Inspect the plant for insects or insect damage. Remove any dead, yellowing or spotted leaves by pinching them off with your fingers or a pair of clippers. If insects are suspected, wash the leaves and blossoms with a solution of 1 quart warm, not hot, water, and 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing soap. Spray with clear water, or rinse gently under running water in the sink or outside hose. The tiny bit of soap in the solution won't hurt the rose plant but will kill the bugs.

Step 4

Place the mini rose in a location that receives 4-6 hours of sunlight a day. If the rose is inside, the best windows are south- or west-facing. Roses won't bloom if they don't receive enough sun.

Step 5

Water the plant when it dries out. Check by sticking your finger in the potting soil. If it's damp wait a few days and recheck. If the soil is dry, go ahead and water well. Roses, like most plants, prefer a deep watering every week or so, rather than a sprinkle of water every day. Fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength every third watering.

Tips and Warnings

Water when the mini rose needs it--not on a set schedule. Over-watering kills more plants than under-watering.

Things You'll Need

Pot or container

Gravel

Potting soil

Dishwashing soap

Clippers

Fertilizer - water soluble

References

"Great Ideas for Your Garden;" Courtier et al; 2003

"Garden Home;" P. Allen Smith; 2003

Who Can Help

Grow miniature roses

Keywords:
grow mini roses, care of mini roses, caring for mini roses

About this Author

Dee Power holds an MBA. She is the co-author of "Attracting Capital from Angels," "Inside Secrets to Venture Capital," "The Making of a Bestseller," the novel "Over Time," and several screenplays. She contributes to several Web sites and is a regular columnist for favstocks.com